Al-Nour calls for ‘real’ reconciliation

The Salafi Al-Nour Party has condemned “exclusion” and “marginalisation” in post-revolutionary Egypt among rising political tensions.

The Islamist party, which is critical of President Mohamed Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood, warned that the country is “on the verge of a clash in which everyone will lose.”

“We are not going to war or battle between two camps,” said the party in a statement on Wednesday. The group also criticised those dividing the two sides of the political divide as “owners of the Islamic project” and “those who are against the Islamic project.”

“This characterisation is wrong. Many of those who oppose the policies of Mohamed Morsi do not oppose him because of the adoption of the Islamic project,” read the statement.

“We must face the truth and look for the reasons that led to this change and this extraordinary tension on the street,” the statement continued. Even though there were those seeking to exploit the political tension and derail the revolution, according to Al-Nour, “real” national reconciliation and dialogue are critical.

Al-Nour welcomed President Morsi’s most recent call for dialogue but demanded guarantees from the presidency, including that rules be set before talks begin. The party also requested that as part of the agenda, the date for parliamentary elections be determined and the elections law be discussed.

Al-Nour also demanded that President Morsi “announce his willingness to accept the outcome of the dialogue between him and political forces,” to show his commitment to defusing tensions in the country.

The Salafi party earlier opposed the appointment of Prosecutor General Tala’at Abdallah and demanded the dismissal of Prime Minister Hesham Qandil and his cabinet. The group has previously conducted meetings with other Islamist groups, the presidency and the National Salvation Front.